The scholarship will be granted to students without reference to excellence in scholarship and prefers students unable to obtain other aid. Please click below for more information, as well as the application form.

We hope you take this opportunity to share news of the Bradford scholarship to any seniors graduating from public high schools in Providence, or young people currently enrolled in technical or undergraduate degree-granting programs!

Elmwood is now on Facebook and GoProvidenceElmwood Neighborhood Association now has a Facebook page thanks to Elmwoodian Richard Bradley.
Please spread the word and like the page at ElmwoodPVD.

Broad St and the Elmwood neighborhood are parts of the new neighborhood guide at GoProvidence.com.
Some corrections need to be made, but it’s a good start that puts
the South Side on the tourism map.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Welcoming Rhode Island Festival seeks artisans by June 4
Dorcas International hosts a festival on June 24 to embrace diversity in the Ocean State. This free, family friendly community event celebrates culture and ancestry during Immigrant Heritage month. Everyone is welcome, and around 1000 are expected to attend. Are you a craftsperson or artisan who’d like to showcase your arts and crafts and sell your products there? If so, please contact Baha Sadr at bsadr@diiri.org or (401) 784 8611 by Monday, June 4. Each vendor will need to pay just $10 for the one-day vendor’s license.

Food venders can still participate in PVDFest 2018PVDFest 2018 is coming soon to downtown Providence. The Food Village at the festival provides restaurants and food trucks the opportunity to serve their signature dishes to a large, diverse audience. Located in the greater Kennedy Plaza on Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10. Over 40 food trucks will line the perimeter of Kennedy Plaza and over 20 Providence restaurants and food purveyors will be at the heart of the Village to sell, mingle, and demo some of their finest dishes.
If you are interested in participating and serving some of your wonderful and delicious cuisines or know of any food vendors who may be interested, please contact Kimberly Gonzalez, Community Relations Representative for an application: kgonzalez@providenceri.gov, (401) 680-5379 | Ext: 5379
The City still has space and is offering a reduced fee of $100 for participation! Go to http://pvdfest.com/food-village/

PVD Fest 2018 is calling for volunteers
The City of Providence invites you to be part of PVDFest 2018, the City of Providence’s fourth annual vibrant and multicultural arts festival. Volunteer support is a critical part of the festival’s success. This year’s festival will take place from June 7-10, 2018, with the showcase on Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and June 10, 2018. Volunteer shifts last around 5 hours. *Volunteers will receive an exclusive event T-shirt and other surprises at the end of their shift.*
For questions please email Hernan Jourdan at hjourdan@providenceri.gov.
Please register at http://pvdfest.com/volunteer/.

ELMWOOD DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Sissieretta Jones to get a headstone in Grace CemeterySissieretta Jones, a pioneering black soprano, has been buried in an unmarked grave following her death in 1933. A GoFundMe campaign has just raised about $7,000 for a headstone. Events that celebrate her life will be held from June 7 to June 9. The celebration closes with a reception at the Southside Cultural Center at 5:00 on Saturday, June 7 followed by a headstone ceremony. Find details of all the events at http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20180508/sissieretta-jones-to-get-headstoneGood Fortune comes to Cadillac Dr
Good Fortune Supermarket has opened at the corner of Cadillac Dr and Niagara St. Yelp gives it 5 stars and one $ for affordability. The supermarket brings activity back to the former Cadillac showroom and to an area of Elmwood that has become a meeting place for drug activity. See pictures and read reviews on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/good-fortune-supermarket-providence.Southern Elmwood is designated as an Opportunity Zone
The census tract from Ontario St south to I 95 has been designated as an Opportunity Zone by the U.S. Treasury. (It is one of 25 census tracts that Gov. Raimondo submitted for consideration for the program.) Opportunity Zones are a new community development program established by Congress in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The program encourages long-term investments in low-income urban and rural communities nationwide. The Opportunity Zones program provides a tax incentive for investors. Read more at http://eig.org/opportunityzones

Bomes Theater renovations have begunBomes Theater, the long abandoned theater on Broad St, will soon be renovated thanks to local developer, Fernando Taveras. The city reviewed several plans for the building over the past few years and has accepted the plan to renovate the historic space for receptions and other events. Read about the May 17 Press Conference at gcpvd.org and on the Providence Preservation Societysite.

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

Thanks to all who helped renew Elmwood Ave’s planters
Special thanks to Darlene Reza–Rossi at AARP RI for purchasing 50 pots of ornamental grasses to replace missing or dying plants, for keeping everything on schedule every step of the way, for rounding up volunteers, and providing lunch. Thanks to Kali Otto-Gentry and A Hand Up program at Amos House for deep cleaning the planters, preparing the soil, helping with planting, and continuing to keep them watered. Thanks to Cassie Tharinger of PNPP for advising the project. Thanks to PPD2 Neighborhood Crime Watch for purchasing a replacement planter liner at the last minute. To Pastor Charles Berkley for hosting the staging event at Providence Assembly of God Church. And to Doug Victor for the seemingly endless footwork involved. Keep your eyes on ElmwoodAve as the ornamental grasses fill out the planters over the summer.

Peace and Plenty Park and Garden News
The Friends of Peace and Plenty Park are keeping the park, as the park motto communicates, “Clean, Friendly and Safe”. Various Friends of the park are taking part in a newly implemented daily litter/ safety check. They are also spreading new fibar mulch in the play areas to help soften kids’ landings off the play equipment. The next service day there is Friday, June 16.
The garden is full of early growing season activity. A driveway was dug up this season to create yet another plot where neighbors can grow food. There are now 46(!) garden plots. Students from Lincoln School did community service last month by distributing 20 cubic yards of compost to the garden plots, weeding pathways, and painting. Gardeners are enjoying convenient access to tools in the new tool shed. (It was added last year thanks to a grant from the New England Grassroots Endowment Fund.)
To join the Friends of Peace and Plenty Park, or to get on a garden wait list for next season, contact Doug at doug.crimewatch@gmail.comFriends of Knight Memorial Library News
Did you see the tulip display this month on the library lawn? Thanks to the Friends group for planting them last fall and to volunteers who tended gardens flanking the main stairs this past week. In May the Friends group also successfully conducted the first 2-day Dealers’ Book Sale. To show the library staff’s appreciation for Friends’ efforts to raise money for the library, Allison Riendeau, Children’s Librarian, engaged a teen to design wonderful buttons for all the BOOK SALE volunteers. Want to become a volunteer? Help is needed with weekday BOOK SALEs and its presence at the upcoming Sankofa Market summer sales. Contact Doug at doug.crimewatch@gmail.com.

Peace Poles are coming to Knight and Peace and Plenty Park
The Peace Flag Project has donated all materials to create two peace poles. They’ll be designed by young people at Knight Memorial Library and Peace and Plenty Park where they’ll be installed this summer.

JUNE MEETINGS AND EVENTSLarge and small events celebrate Providence culture, RI immigrants,Sissieretta Jones, and MamáTingó.
Farmers markets return to Broad St and Elmwood Ave.
Food trucks return to Carousel Village in RWP.
And there are plenty of opportunities to join neighbors
working together to improve Elmwood.

TeatroEcas presents Descubra la DanzadeMingoFriday & Saturday, June 1 & 2, 7:00 pm57 Parkis Avenue
Florinda Soriano – also known as MamáTingó – was born in Villa Mella, Dominican Republic, and fought for the rights of the landless and oppressed, taking on a ruthless government. She paid a very high price to change history. Discover her remarkable story told to the rhythm of drums and dance in La DanzadeMingó, an original play by HaffeSerulle. Performance in Spanish. The performance will also be held on June 15 & 16.

PVD Fest 2018June 7-10PVDFest 2018 is an exciting gathering of live music, dance, food, and visual art installations that transforms the city in a four-day, multi-arts take-over of public spaces, parks, and outdoor stages in the heart of Providence, Rhode Island. Artists from across the globe join with the Ocean State’s finest for a free outdoor party that inspires the soul, fires the spirit, and has thousands dancing in the streets. The cityscape pulses with cultural energy and urban spectacle in this Creative Capital celebration.

Elmwood Ave Business & Community Association (EBCA) meetingWednesday, June 13, 9:00 – 10:30Elmwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 225 Elmwood Ave
Debriefing of Elmwood Ave planting, update on current Elmwood Ave issues, next steps. RSVP to Karen, Karen_ena@earthlink.net, (401) 941-8249Note: EBCA meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.
Neighbors for Revitalization (N4R) meetingWednesday, June 13, 6:00 to 7:30Sankofa Community Room, West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation, 70 Westfield St, West End
Work with residents, community-based organizations, and other key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive community-based strategy for resolving the large number of problem properties in the West End and South Side.
Learn more: Follow us on Facebook at Neighbor for Revitalization or visit http://cycprovidence.org/neighbors-revitalization.
Join the group: Contact Teresa Guaba, Project Coordinator, Teresa_guaba@cycprovidence.org.Note: N4R meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.

TeatroEcas presents Descubra la DanzadeMingoFriday & Saturday, June 15 & 16, 7:00 pm57 Parkis Avenue
Florinda Soriano – also known as MamáTingó – was born in Villa Mella, Dominican Republic, and fought for the rights of the landless and oppressed, taking on a ruthless government. She paid a very high price to change history. Discover her remarkable story told to the rhythm of drums and dance in La DanzadeMingó, an original play by HaffeSerulle. Performed in Spanish.

Peace and Plenty Park maintenanceFriday, June 16, 9:00 – 11:30
Peace and Plenty Park
Join the Food Bank Community Service group at the Park. To join the Friends of Peace and Plenty Park, contact Doug at doug.crimewatch@gmail.com.

City Walk Demonstration EventSaturday, June 16, 10 am – 4 pm
Broad St between Public and Potters
What would City Walk look and feel like? Come out for a temporary demonstration event and experience it for a day. There will be artwork by Providence artists, a Laotian dance flash mob, temporary protected bike lane, temporary public plazas, chimi trucks, and family fun.

ENA Advisory Board meetingSunday, June 17, 5:30
Home of Jon Andrade, 239 Adelaide
The June meeting will focus on developing a strategic plan for ENA and outreach efforts.
RSVP to Jon Andrade, jon.andrade@gmail.com or Paula Donovan, paula.on.lenox@gmail.com

Welcoming Rhode Island FestivalSunday, June 24, 12 to 4 pm
Roger Williams Park Casino
Dorcas International’s annual World Refugee Day has transformed into the Welcoming RI Festival to include our Student Recognition Ceremony and to further embrace diversity in the Ocean State. This free, family-friendly community event welcomes everyone to celebrate culture and ancestry during Immigration Heritage month. There will be live music, outdoor games, children’s activities, and diverse foods. For more information visit diiri.org or follow us on Facebook at DorcasInternational.

Crime Watch meeting for Elmwood & South ProvidenceWednesday, June 27, 6:00 to 7:30640 Broad St, YMVA for Youth Development Community Room (across from St. Joseph’s)
Meet with Lt. James Barros, who reports on incidents in the previous month. Talk face-to-face wo police to resolve quality of life issues. For agenda updates, contact Doug, doug.crimewatch@gmail.comNote: Crime Watch meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Crime Watch window placards are available at each meeting.

South Providence Neighborhood Association meetingThursday, June 28, 6:00 to 8:00
Community Prep School on Somerset St, Upper South Providence
To get on the SPNA mailing list for agendas of upcoming meetings, contact Dwayne Keys, southprovneighbors@gmail.com, (401) 369-1334Note: SPNA meetings are generally scheduled for the 4th Thursday of each month.

EVENTS RECURRING EACH WEEK

Food Truck Fridays
Fridays, 5:00 pm
Carousel Village, Roger Williams Park
Enjoy over 15 locally owned food trucks and local beer from Trinity Brewhouse, wines from Gooseneck Vineyards while listening to live music. There’s limited seating so bring a chair or blanket to use on the lawn. See the full list of food trucks attending at https://www.foodtrucksin.com/food-truck-events.

The CPC’s decision made at its February meeting included the granting of waivers from submission of all required plans for state approvals as well as a reduction in required parking. There are conditions for these approvals such as allowing a lien on the property at 334 Carpenter for parking assurances for 1292 Westminster and several others (see February CPC minutes for details).

While the Zoning Board of Review is not scheduled to hear public testimony on May 9, it makes an impact to have a crowd of stakeholders present at the meeting. Neighbors are encouraged to attend and, if possible, make your opinion known silently by holding signs that reflect your concerns & opposition.

For background on this issue including related articles, documents, and design plans, click here.

May brings sun and warm weather plus building development meetings and celebrations,
community get togethers, and fundraising dinners.

Thanks to all the volunteers who help make Elmwood sparkle! Thanks to all the organizations who supported greening and cleaning events last month and to the volunteers who planted more than 60 trees on residential streets in southern Elmwood, on Huntington Ave, and on Broad St. The trees on Huntington Ave are a first step towards redeveloping the roadway that leads from Rt 10 through the West End to Elmwood. Special thanks to Partnership for Providence Parks, the Providence Neighborhood Planting Program, the City’s Forestry Department, TD Bank’s Green Streets program contributed trees, tools, mulch, snacks, and guidance, and to Quisqueya in Action for organizing the Broad St planting and cleanup.

Friends of Locust Grove Cemetery are needed
Thanks also to Ward Weathers and 21 friends and neighbors who aerated and mulched 80 trees in Locust Grove Cemetery, the largest open space in Elmwood. In past years residents of adjoining properties bought and planted nearly 90 trees in the cemetery. Additional fruit trees were planted with the help of the City and more residents. Want to join in this effort? Park advocates and hands on volunteers are needed to care for this historic cemetery on a more regular schedule. It will be rewarding work as the trees grow and the fruit trees bear fruit. Contact Ward Weathers at weathersw@gmail.com to say you’re interested in becoming a Friend of Locust Grove.Peace and Plenty Park and Garden News
With two successful cleanups in April involving over 80 participants, both the garden and park are ready for their more active seasons. And yet, more improvements are on their way. The park will get new fencing this week; a newly donated exterior bulletin board will soon be installed; and Wheeler School students will help with other maintenance on May 11. Two notable projects are underway: The Y Youth Program on Broad Street will create a large mural for the park; and the Peace and Plenty Outside Art Gallery will open its first show this summer.
Want a garden plot or to join the Friends of Peace and Plenty Park? Contact: Doug Victor at doug.crimewatch@gmail.com

Plants, seeds and mulch for your own gardens and street trees Give your own street trees a hand up this spring by aerating and mulching them. Mulch left over from tree care in Locust Grove Cemetery is available at no charge to Elmwood residents. Just bring a shovel and container to the cemetery and collect mulch left behind in several piles.
Find Rare and Unusual Plants for your gardens at City Farm’s annual sale on May 19 and 20.
And don’t forget that the South Providence Library has launched its 2018 Seed Exchange program. Everyone is welcome to receive free seeds for a summer garden. Thanks to Ocean State Job Lot, URI, and local growers for donating seeds and to URI Master Gardener Program volunteers.

RI Foundation hosts Together RI conversations
“Sit down with other diverse, engaged people and see what comes up—there’s bound to be common interests and healthy conversation.” RI Foundation has launched a series of 20 neighborly get-togethers called Together RI. Each session offers the chance for people to talk face-to-face with each other over family-style meals. The last of the series is in Elmwood at the Elmwood Community Center on Saturday morning, May 5. It’s a good opportunity to meet your neighbors.

Participate in a Jane’s WalkJoin the Jane’s Walk festival on May 4, 5, and 6. Jane’s Walk is an annual festival of citizen-led walking conversations inspired by community activist Jane Jacobs. Jane’s Walks encourage people to share stories about their neighborhoods, discover unseen aspects of their communities, and use walking as a way to connect with their neighbors. Volunteers have led free walking tours in more than 200 cities around the world, including dozens in Providence.Thirteen walks are planned in Providence this weekend.

Roger Williams Park hosts a series of spring walking tours
Participate in free walking tours to explore different elements of the park. Find details of these and other park activities at the RWPconservancy.org.Note: On the first Saturday of the month, Providence residents get into the zoo, botanical gardens, and museum for free.

Revitalization of Bomes Theater
The revitalization of Bomes Theater, a long abandoned theater on Broad St, will soon be underway! The Providence Redevelopment Agency (PRA) has worked to prepare the building for reuse by completely clearing out debris inside the building, completing a structural analysis of the building, and engaging a group of graduate students from Harvard University to assist in analyzing the best reuse options for the building and assisting in marketing the site. On April 20 the PRA signed a purchase and sales agreement with a local community member who will be renovating the building back to its original splendor as a community event space with two retail storefronts on the ground floor. The revitalization of the building is a great historic preservation success story, and returns the building back to being a vital and vibrant part of Broad Street and the neighborhood.
A meeting on Monday, May 14 will address the impact on the neighborhood. A press conference will be held on Thursday, May 17.

Addressing night club and events noise

Jesus Tintin, the owner of Broad Street’s Mi Sueno nightclub has been a generous contributor to Broad St initiatives; but the noise from Sunday afternoon “Car Shows” at the club is intruding on the peace and quiet that nearby residents seek on their weekends. Tintin has appeared before the Board of Licenses twice in response to complaints about noise emanating from the events. Tintin has been asked to reduce the volume, decrease the event hours from 12-8 pm to 12-7 pm with music shut off by 6:00, and use a noise meter to monitor the noise levels. Police have been directed to measure noise at the properties of neighbors affected by the noise. BOL has also asked for clarification of a letter signed by Safety Commissioner Pare that seemingly gives permission for noise that exceeds levels permitted by the City’s noise ordinance. The next hearing will be on Thursday, May 10.
In the meantime, The Jewelry District Association is holding a round table discussion onMay 8 to address the impact of Providence Night Life on residents. It’s a good opportunity to discuss these issues with another neighborhood group.

Keep reading for meeting and event details and to see what else is happening.

Find general information about community groups, greening Elmwood, community policing, and city services in the ENA Reference Guide mailed in June, 2017.

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S C H E D U L E O F E V E N T S

MAY MEETINGS and EVENTS

Wednesday, May 2 – Friends of Knight Memorial Library meeting

Saturday, May 5 – Together RI: Meal and Conversation in Elmwood

Saturday, May 5 – Sankofa Market Season Kickoff

Sunday, May 6 – ENA Advisory Board meeting

Tuesday, May 8 – Providence Night Life, a Round Table discussion by the Jewelry District Association

o City Council meetings 1st and 3rd Thursdays in City Hall
___________________________________________________

MAY MEETINGS and EVENTS

Wednesday, May 2, 6:00 to 7:30 pm – Friends of Knight Memorial Library meetingLocation: Knight Memorial Library, 275 Elmwood Ave
Libraries rely on Friends groups to advocate for library needs. The Friends of Knight Memorial run frequent book sales to raise money for library programs and are developing an online site for buying new books for the library. The May meeting will report on upcoming building improvements and address cooling issues during the coming summer.Contact: Debbie Schimberg, Deborah@gleegum.comNote: Friends meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of each month.

Friday, May 4 to Sunday, May 6 – Jane’s Walks around Providence Thirteen walks are scheduled for the coming weekend including three in our neighborhood:

May 5, 10:30 to 12 – Trinity Square. Meet up at Southside Cultural Center parking lot and end at Sankofa Market’s season kickoff event. Led by long-time Elmwoodian Doug Victor.

May 5, 3:00 to 4:30 – Discovering Roger Williams Park. Meet up at the monument to Roger Williams at the Park’s Elmwood Ave entrance. Led by Christopher Ackley, a memer of the Board of Directors of the RWP Conservancy.

Saturday, May 5, 9:00 to 10:30 am – Together RI: Meal and Conversation in ElmwoodLocation: Elmwood Community Center, 155 Niagara St
Bring your ideas to the table. Share a meal and conversation with other Providence residents as part of RI Foundation’s Together RI initiative.Register on line:https://www.togetherri.org

Saturday, May 5, 11 am to 3:00 pm – Sankofa Market Season KickoffLocation: Southside Cultural Center
Sankofa brings fresh produce, crafts, a food truck, and more to Trinity Square.Note: Sankofa will pop up at the Southside Cultural Center from 11 to 3 on the 1stSaturday of each month and at Knight Memorial Library every Wednesday afternoon/evening from June 20 to October 31.

Sunday, May 6, 6:00 – 7:30 pm – ENA Advisory Board meetingLocation: Home of Jon Andrade on Adelaide Ave
Advisory board meets monthly to develop outreach efforts and define the direction of ENA. Jon will be preparing Peruvian taste treats so please RSVP to him and/or Paula in advance and ask for his house number.Contacts: Paula Donovan, paula.on.lenox@gmail.com or Jon Andrade,jon.andrade@gmail.com

Tuesday, May 8, 5 pm – Providence Night Life, a Round Table discussion by the Jewelry District AssociationLocation: South Street Landing, Rm 498, Jewelry District
The Jewelry District Association invites the public to attend a round table discussion that includes Police Chief Hugh Clements, Public Safety Commissioner Pare, and representatives from the Board of Licenses, Responsible Night Life Organization, and City Council.

Wednesday, May 9, 9:00 – 10:30 am – Elmwood Ave Business & Community Association (EBCA) meetingLocation: Elmwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 225 Elmwood Ave
Final planning for the revitalization of Elmwood Ave planters, scheduled for May 19. Report from a discussion with Paul M Farber of Philadelphia’s Monument Lab, a series of events that engaged residents in discussions about the city’s monuments.RSVP to Karen, Karen_ena@earthlink.net, (401) 941-8249Note: EBCA meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.

Wednesday May 9, 5:00 – 7:30 &Thursday May 10, 10:30 – 12:30 – Friends of Knight Memorial Library Dealers Book SaleLocation: Knight Memorial Library Community Room, 275 Elmwood Ave
Book dealers are invited to take a close look at 12,000 donated books and more. All dealers are welcome.For more information, contact Doug at doug.crimewatch@gmail.com

Wednesday, May 9, 6:00 – 7:30pm – Neighbors for Revitalization (N4R) meetingLocation: Sankofa Community Room, West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation, 70 Westfield Street, West End
Work with residents, community-based organizations, and other key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive community-based strategy for resolving the large number of problem properties in the West End and South Side.Learn more: Follow us on Facebook or visit our website.Join the group: Contact Teresa Guaba, Project Coordinator, Teresa_guaba@cycprovidence.org.Note: N4R meets on the 2ndWednesday of each month.

Thursday, May 10, 5:00 – 3rd Board of License hearing re: Mi Sueno Car Show noiseLocation: Probate Courtroom, City Hall, 5th floor
Prior to the next BOL hearing, read the meeting minutes for reasons why the BOL has allowed car shows to continue at Mi Sueno through May 6. Listen to the audio tape of the hearing starting at about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Friday, May 11, 9:30 to 12:30 – Peace and Plenty Park Cleanup with the Wheeler SchoolLocation: Peace and Plenty Park
Join the Friends of the Park and Wheeler School students for park maintenance.Contact: Doug, doug.crimewatch@gmail.com

Monday evening, May 14 – Community Meeting about Bomes TheaterLocation: TBD
Bring your concerns about the development of Bomes Theater as an events center, including locations of parking. The new owner, Mr. Taveras and Rep. Grace Diaz will attend.For more information: Paula, paula.on.lenox@gmail.com

Thursday, May 17, 12 noon – Press conference celebrating the development of Bomes TheaterLocation: Bomes Theater, Broad St at Gallatin Join Mayor Elorza, the PRA, the new owner of Bomes Theater, and other community and preservation leaders to celebrate!

Thursday, May 17, 6:30 to 9:00 – Global Eats: An International Culinary Celebration to support DorcasLocation: Fete Music Hall, 103 Dike St, Olneyville
Join Dorcas International Institute of RI for an international culinary celebration to support our work and honor the vibrancy of RI’s diverse community. For this unique fundraising event, local chefs will recreate family dishes from around the world. Participating chefs represent Waterman Grille, Leon’s, El Rancho Grande, Laughing Gorilla, Troup, Jamestown Fish, Red Fin, Los Andes, XO Café, and more.Get tickets and more information:globaleats.org or email info@globaleats.org

Friday, May 18th, 7am to 10am – PVD Bike to Work DayMeet up location: Burnside Park in Kennedy Plaza downtown
Bike to Work Day is the origin of all National Bike Month events. Started in 1956, this day is a time to try out commuting to work by bike. This year there will be a big celebration in Burnside Park downtown from 7 to 9 am with free food, booths with community organizations, and a few special guests to applaud your bicycling efforts. There will also be bike trains coming into downtown from all parts of the city, so you don’t have to bike alone.Thanks to the City of Providence for helping make this event happen every year!
Join us later in the day for the Bike to Work Afterparty!

Location: City Farm, 168 West Clifford (at Dudley) in the Southside
Southside Community Land Trust’s spring sale features hundreds of varieties of sustainably grown annuals, perennials, and fruit and vegetable plant starts – roughly 20,000 in all. Local performers entertain shoppers with live music. Experienced gardeners are on hand to answer your gardening questions. Proceeds support SCLT’s education and community outreach programs.More information: https://www.southsideclt.org/rare-unusual-plant-sale/

Saturday, May 19, 10:30 to 12:30 – Renew planters on Elmwood AveMeet up location: Providence Assembly of God Church, 353 Elmwood Ave
Help AARP volunteers and the Elmwood Ave Business and Community Association (EBCA) renew the planters on Elmwood Ave with ornamental grasses. Planting will be followed by lunch at the church.Contacts: Darlene Reza Rossi, drezarossi@aarp.org; Doug Victor,doug.crimewatch@gmail.com; Karen, Karen_ena@earthlink.net

Wednesday, May 22, 6:00 – 7:30 – Crime Watch meeting for Elmwood & South Providence Location: 640 Broad St, YMCA for Youth Development Community Room (across from St Joseph’s)
Meet with Lt. James Barrows, who reports on incidents in the previous month. Talk face to face with the police commander to resolve quality of life issues.For agenda updates contact Doug, doug.crimewatch@gmail.comNote: Crime Watch meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Crime Watch window placards are available at each meeting.

Thursday, May 23, 6:00 to 8:00 – South Providence Neighborhood Association meetingLocation: Community Prep School on Somerset St, Upper South ProvidenceTo get on the SPNA mailing list, contact Dwayne Keys, southprovneighbors@gmail.com, (401) 369-1334.Note: SPNA meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month.

Thursday, May 31, 6:00 to 8:00pm – Sankofa Eats presents Chef Michelle TullochLocation: Sankofa Community Room, 70 Westfield St in the West End

West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation (WEHDC) is proud to host its firstSankofa Eats! – a series of community meals. The series is a way to gather community residents, allies, and business owners in support of transformative programming offered by WEHDC. Sankofa Eats! will be focused on improving nutrition and ways that individuals can receive access to local healthy foods.
Our initial meal will celebrate the completion of our community kitchen and greenhouse. Michelle Tulloch, our chef of the evening is the creator of Eden’s Bowls, a business that offers meal prep and planning services based on a whole foods and a plant-based diet, and catering services.Get tickets on eventbrite.More information: (401) 453-3220, ext 11; sankofamarket@westelmwood.org

RECURRING ACTIVITIES in MAY

BOOK SALEs by Friends of Knight Memorial LibraryTuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30 to 12:30; Wednesdays, 5:00 to 7:30Location: Knight Memorial Library Community Room, 275 Elmwood Ave
May features a great selection of books on gardening, nature, pet care, baseball, golf, boating, and Jewish experience at unbeatable prices, plus these fantastic discounts: Soft cover fiction, 10 for $1.00. VHS tapes, 6 for $1.00. Select LPs, 10 for $1.00. Select CDs, 4 for $1.00. Select DVDs, 2 for $1.00.
With over 12,000(!) items in stock we are known for our quality and prices. Called “The best little book store in town.” Proceeds support our historic Knight Memorial Library. Book, LP, CD, DVD donations are happily accepted during open hours.Want to volunteer? Contact Doug at doug.crimewatch@gmail.com.

City of Providence Commission MeetingsLocation:444 Westminster St, Joseph Doorley Municipal Building, 1st Floor Meeting Room
Many neighborhood decision-making discussions have taken place in such meetings.Agendas are published at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting and are available athttp://sos.ri.gov/openmeetings/.

Building off the success of last year’s Community Energy Fair, the Office of Sustainability is once again partnering with the Rhode Island Sierra Club, People’s Power & Light, and others to host this year’s SustainPVD Fair.

Events will include the Compost Workshop, Rain Barrel Workshop, information on how to reduce waste and make your home more energy efficient, and how to go solar. There will also be a special workshop hosted by the Racial and Environmental Justice Committee to learn about Energy Democracy and the City’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2050. This community event will be family friendly and include free food and music.

We are looking for vendors to complete the event with interactive exhibits. Attendees will be guided through the event with volunteers and a worksheet to help them take in all the information and encourage them to engage with vendors. Apply via this form by April 30th. Space is limited and preference will be given to those who demonstrate creative and active displays, as well as those who can provide information in Spanish. The goal of the event is for participants to walk away with resources and information to help them take action in their home, at work, and throughout their community to help make Providence greener and healthier.

April is a very busy month with lots of opportunities
to get your hands dirty while greening the neighborhood
and to exchange ideas about improving the South Side.
Invite your neighbors to join in!

Earth Day cleanup and tree planting in Elmwood On Saturday, April 14 volunteers will plant 31 trees in the south end of Elmwood; on Friday,

April 27 the City celebrates Arbor Day with a planting event on Huntington Avenue in the West End; and on Saturday, April 28 Providence celebrates Earth Day with a citywide clean up of green spaces and neighborhoods. In Elmwood we’ll plant trees on Broad St, clean up Locust Grove Cemetery, and freshen up Peace and Plenty Park. On Saturday, May 19 AARP joins neighbors to refresh planters on Elmwood Ave.

Garden newsSouth Providence Library has launched its 2018 Seed Exchange program. Everyone is welcome to receive free seeds for a summer garden. Thanks to Ocean State Job Lot, URI, and local growers for donating seeds and to URI Master Gardener Program volunteers.

RI Foundation hosts Together RI conversations
“Sit down with other diverse, engaged people and see what comes up—there’s bound to be common interests and healthy conversation.” Rhode Island Foundation has just launched a series of 20 neighborly get-togethers called Together RI. Each of 20 sessions offers the chance for people to talk face-to-face with each other over family-style meals. The series runs from March 21 through May 5 at a various locations around the state. In Providence share dinner and conversation at Providence Career and Technical Academy on Tuesday April 3 and at the Elmwood Community Center on Saturday morning, May 5.

Consider leading a Jane’s WalkJane’s Walk is an annual festival of citizen-led walking conversations inspired by community activist Jane Jacobs. Jane’s Walks encourage people to share stories about their neighborhoods, discover unseen aspects of their communities, and use walking as a way to connect with their neighbors. For several years, a diverse group has led free walking tours in more than 200 cities around the world, including many in Providence and our own neighborhood. The next Jane’s Walk festival weekend is May 4, 5, and 6. Contact Joelle Kanter, joellekanter@gmail.com with your ideas about leading a walk.

Rhode Island Monthly highlights South Providence In a March 20 article, RI Monthly called South Providence a “Mecca for Dominican-American Industry” and highlighted several restaurants and businesses in the area.

ONE Neighborhood Builders launches the Elmwood Financial CenterOn March 23 ONE/NB held an open house for the new Elmwood Financial Center. The center at 770 Broad St offers homebuyer education classes, financial counseling, and more on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to 5 pm. Clients don’t need an appointment to get their questions answered. Financial support for the center comes from Bank Newport, The Washington Trust Company, Bank RI, and Coastway Community Bank.Looking for activities for school vacation?
The Botanical Gardens at Roger Williams Park hosts Fairy Garden Days from April 14 to April 29. The Museum of Natural History hosts Mission Space Week fromApril 16 to April 20. Find details about these and other park activities at Roger Williams Park Conservancy events calendar. Note well: On the first Saturday of the month, Providence residents get into the zoo, botanical gardens, and museum for free.

Gun violence news According to several U.S. mayors who are ready to pass gun control laws, the NRA and state legislatures stand in their way. USA Today has reported that forty-three states have passed some form of gun preemption laws, a tactic increasingly used by state legislators to prevent cities and counties from making local laws and decisions. If citizens want safer cities, they may first need to target state legislatures that stand in the way of local restrictions on guns.

Neighborhood Noise

On Thursday, March 29 The Board of Licenses heard a complaint about noise emanating from Mi Sueno “Car Shows” on Sunday afternoons. The BOL is permitting the car shows to move forward with music in April. However, they asked the owner, Jesus Tintin, to reduce the volume, to decrease the event hours from 12-8 pm to12-7 pm with music shut off by 6:00, ordered him to monitor the noise levels with a noise meter, and directed the police to measure noise at the properties of the neighbors who are upset about the noise.

Keep reading for meeting and event details and to see what else is happening.

Find general information about community groups, greening Elmwood, community policing, and city services in the ENA Reference Guide mailed in June, 2017.

o City Council meetings 1st and 3rd Thursdays in City Hall
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APRIL MEETINGS and EVENTS

Tuesday, April 3, 6:00 to 7:30 – Together RI Meal and Conversation at PCTALocation: Providence Career and Technical Academy, 41 Fricker St
Bring your ideas to the table. Share a meal and conversation with other Providence residents as part of RI Foundation’s Together RI initiative. Every event is free and open to the public.Register on line:https://www.togetherri.org

Wednesday, April 4, 6:00 to 7:30 pm – Friends of Knight Memorial Library meetingLocation: Knight Memorial Library, 275 Elmwood Ave
Libraries rely on Friends groups to advocate for library needs. The Friends of Knight Memorial run frequent book sales to raise money for library programs. They are also working to increase the numbers of people with library cards.Contact: Debbie Schimberg, Deborah@gleegum.comNote: Friends meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of each month.

Location: ECAS Theater, 57 Parkis Ave (on Elmwood Ave)
Reception and concert by guitarrist Juan Falú, an outstanding artist of the past several decades from Argentina. Juan Falú is the creator and director of the festival “Guitars of the World” now on its 23th version, considered the largest international event in its genre.Buy tickets on Eventbrite: “Juan Falu Guitarra Argentina”

Wednesday, April 11, 9:00 – 10:30 am – Elmwood Ave Business & Community Association (EBCA) meetingLocation: Elmwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 225 Elmwood Ave
Plan for the revitalization of Elmwood Ave planters, scheduled for May. Learn about Philadelphia’s Monument Lab, a series of events that engaged residents in discussions about the city’s monuments.RSVP to Karen, Karen_ena@earthlink.net, (401) 941-8249Note: EBCA meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.

Wednesday, April 11, 6:00 – 7:30pm – Neighbors for Revitalization (N4R) meetingLocation: Sankofa Community Room, West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation, 70 Westfield Street
Work with residents, community-based organizations, and other key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive community-based strategy for resolving the large number of problem properties in the West End and South Side.Learn more: Follow us on Facebook or visit our website.Join the group: Contact Teresa Guaba, Project Coordinator, Teresa_guaba@cycprovidence.org.Note: N4R meets on the 2ndWednesday of each month.

Saturday, April 14, 10:00 am – Street Tree Planting in ElmwoodLocation: Meet at Sackett St School, 159 Sackett St
It’s time for another Street Tree Planting in Elmwood, and we need your help! Gather at Sackett St School for a planting demonstration and then help plant 31 trees on Gallatin, Kipling, Lenox, Sackett, and Warrington Streets. See a map of the planting at this Google maps link. The planting will take about two hours.
Please plan to attend this fun event. Invite family, friends, neighbors, students, and others. Work with us to build our community through the simple and rewarding task of planting a tree. And help make Elmwood, and all of Providence, a verdant place. Wear closed-toed shoes and gloves. Bring shovels and brooms.Contacts: Jane Gerhard (401) 862-7712, gerhardjane@gmail.com; Ward Weathers weathersw@gmail.com Made possible through a street tree award granted to our neighborhood by the Providence Neighborhood Planting Program!

Saturday, April 14, 10:00 to 1:00 – Friends of Knight Memorial Book SaleLocation: Knight Memorial Library, Ground Floor, 275 Elmwood Ave
After planting trees in the neighborhood, stop by the library to find books on nature and gardening. Prepare for summer vacations with international travel books and books on other summer activities. Find books for putting your finances in order. And get great deals on paperbacks – just 10 for $1.00!Contact: Karen Hlynsky, Karen_ena@earthlink.net

Saturday, April 14, 10:30 to 12:30 – City Walk public meetingLocation: Calvary Church, 747 Broad St
Provide input on City Walk, a project that will connect neighborhoods, make it safer to walk and ride bicycles, and celebrate our city! Learn about plans for Clifford Street downtown, the Clifford Street bridge over I-95, and Pine and Friendship streets in Upper South Providence. Then work with us to come up with your own plans for Broad Street. We’ll have a special (and very fun!) interactive design kit available at the meeting so you can show us exactly ​how you would redesign Broad Street. Community members will also work with us to decide how to ​apply these design ideas to a demonstration project that will temporarily transform a small segment of Broad Street ​this summer ​using traffic cones, temporary paint and planters, and other ​low-cost ​​materials for all to see and experience. Spanish interpretation will be available.For more information, contact Alex Ellis, at AEllis@providenceri.gov, 401-680-8400, or visit the project website at www.providenceri.gov/planning/citywalk.Saturday, April 14, 11:00 to 1:00 – Urban Agriculture Kick OffLocation: Southside/Davey Lopes Recreation Center, 227 Dudley St, South Providence
Get free veggie seeds and organic compost at one of four community gardens in Providence, including the one at Davey Lopes. The event is hosted by the Southside Community Land Trust and the Providence Community Growers Network.Get more information:sclt@southsideclt.org, (401) 273-9419

Saturday, April 21, 9:00 to noon – Peace St Community Garden Spring Work DayLocation: Peace Street
Join gardeners in compost delivery, sprucing up the garden and its environs. This is a good opportunity for potential gardeners to see the garden and new tool shed. We have only a few plots left if you want to garden this season. Snacks provided.Contact: Doug Victor at doug.crimewatch@gmail.com or just come.

Wednesday, April 25, 6:00 – 7:30 – Crime Watch meeting for Elmwood & South Providence Location: 640 Broad St, YMCA for Youth Development Community Room (across from St Joseph’s)
Meet with Lt. James Barrows, who reports on incidents in the previous month. Talk face to face with the police commander to resolve quality of life issues.For agenda updates contact Doug, doug.crimewatch@gmail.comNote: Crime Watch meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Crime Watch window placards are available at each meeting.

Thursday, April 26, 6:00 to 8:00 – South Providence Neighborhood Association meetingLocation: Community Prep School on Somerset St, Upper South ProvidenceTo get on the SPNA mailing list, contact Dwayne Keys, southprovneighbors@gmail.com, (401) 369-1334.Note: SPNA meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month.

Thursday to Saturday, April 26-28 – Encuentro 2018Location: Roger Williams University School of Continuing Studies, Providence
Latinos in Heritage Conservation are hosting their third national event–this one in Providence. Encuentro will bring together preservation thought leaders, scholars, students, and community advocates from all over the country for an unprecedented discussion of the value and future of heritage conservation in New England’s Latino communities and beyond. The event is presented in partnership with RI Latino Arts and the RI Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission.More information:https://www.latinoheritage.us/

Friday, April 27, 10:30 am – Arbor Day Tree Planting on Huntington AveLocation: Huntington Ave in the West End, a gateway to Elmwood from the West
The City of Providence Forestry Division and the Providence Neighborhood Planting Program will be hosting the City’s Arbor Day Tree Planting Event.The event will kick off a planting and greening project that will evolve over 6 months. Funded through a TD Bank Green Streets Award, the project is a collaboration among Groundwork RI, Amos House’s “A Hand Up” Program, the Elmwood Neighborhood Association, Friends of Bucklin Park, the Gilbert Stuart Middle School Garden Club, and Johnson & Wales ecology students.
More information and details will be coming soon. In the meantime, community members who are able to join in on Friday, please put this event on your calendars! It’s a chance to bring some much-needed TLC to this neglected, but prominent stretch of road that connects Rt 10 to our neighborhood! Training, demonstrations, lunch, and the opportunity to get-your-hands-dirty will all be provided!For more details as they unfold, check www.pnpp.org, or call (401) 368-5380.

Saturday April 28, 9:00 to 12:00 –Providence 6th Annual Earth Day and Spring Clean Up
Join one of the many community groups cleaning up a park, planting trees or beautifying a neighborhood! Volunteers will receive a 2018 Earth Day Spring Cleaning button, good for free admission to venues in Roger Williams Park, discounts, and free stuff at select businesses. RIPTA will also offer volunteers free rides all weekend.

Earth Day at Peace and Plenty Park – morning, April 28
Join the Friends of Peace and Plenty Park and Charter Care Rhode Island to spruce up our northern Elmwood neighborhood park!. There’s lots to do, including weeding gardens and walkways, mulching, tree care, and sign painting.Contact: Doug Victor at doug.crimewatch@gmail.com or just come.

Locust Grove Cemetery Cleanup and Tree Stewardship – April 28 at 2:00
Work side by side with your neighbors to give some sorely needed attention to the largest green space within the Elmwood Neighborhood borders! Volunteers will do litter patrol, aerate tree roots, and spread mulch around the trees.

Wear comfortable work clothes, and bring rakes, mulch shovels, and hand cultivators. We will have some tools on hand but bringing your own greatly helps. If you have a wheelbarrow to bring (or simply loan us for the event), please contact Ward Weathers weathersw@gmail.com.

This event is part of the City’s Earth Day celebration in conjunction with the Providence Neighborhood Planting Program and its Providence Citizen Foresters effort. It’s also, in part, an effort to re-boot the Friends of Locust Grove Cemetery, and we cannot do it without your help. If it bothers you to see a neglected green space in our neighborhood, then join us to transform it into the beautiful green space it once was and can be again.Saturday, April 28, 9:30 to 12:30 – Neighborhood Housing SummitLocation: Southside Cultural Center, 393 Broad StreetThis summit will provide residents of South Providence and the West End the opportunity to identify neighborhood assets, obtain additional information on housing & social services, & provide solutions to address housing challenges in our neighborhoods with the immediate intention to create a common housing agenda. There is no cost to attend this event but please register.Register on Eventbrite.com. Find the event by searching “Neighborhood Housing Summit”.

Friday thru Sunday, May 4-6 – Jane’s Walks throughout Providence Jane’s Walk encourages people to get out and explore their neighborhoods. Providence is one of more than 200 participating cities around the world. TheProvidence page is under construction. For now, please like the Jane’s Walk Providence Facebook page and find more information on Eventbrite. As the weekend approaches, find details about individual walks in RI at the Jane’s Walk website.

Saturday, May 5, 9:00 to 10:30 – Together RI: Meal and Conversation in ElmwoodLocation: Elmwood Community Center, 155 Niagara St
Bring your ideas to the table. Share a meal and conversation with other Providence residents as part of RI Foundations’s Together RI initiative.Register on line:https://www.togetherri.org

RECURRING ACTIVITIES in APRIL

BOOK SALEs by Friends of Knight Memorial LibraryTuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30 to 12:30; Wednesdays, 5:00 to 7:30Location: Knight Memorial Library Community Room, 275 Elmwood Ave
With over 8000(!) items in stock we are known for our quality and prices. Called “The best little book store in town.” April features gardening, nature, baseball, golf, boating. Paperback fiction–just 10 for $1.00. LPs–10 for $1.00. Select CDs and videos also priced to move. Proceeds support our historic Knight Memorial Library.Want to volunteer? Contact Doug at doug.crimewatch@gmail.com.

City of Providence Commission MeetingsLocation:444 Westminster St, Joseph Doorley Municipal Building, 1st Floor Meeting Room
Many neighborhood decision-making discussions have taken place in such meetings. Agendas are published at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting and are available at http://sos.ri.gov/openmeetings/.

After the Parks presentation, stay and check out one of our neighbor-led committees from 7-8pm. Committee highlights include a presentation about the 46-story Fane building being proposed for the I-195 corridor at our CDC, discussion of summer/fall Armory tours at Armory Advocacy, & planning the ever-fun Neighborhood-Wide Yard Sale at Programs & Events. Summaries of all April committee meetings here.

Want Your Street Cleaned?WBNA’s Annual Spring Cleanup relies on the organizing power of street captains. Street captains are neighbors like you who help organize the clean up of the street they live on and work with fellow volunteers during Cleanup day. Make a difference on YOUR street and beyond while getting to know your neighbors. It’s fun, easy, and we even throw a party for you!

Cleanup, Greenup & 29 Trees!
Time for spring cleaning across the neighborhood during the 35th Annual Spring Cleanup & Greenupon Sat, April 28! Cleanup Day includes Kids Zone activities and a tree planting of 29 trees around Dexter Training Ground, as well as our annual free cookout for all volunteers! Make a great and visible impact on the neighborhood while getting to know your neighbors.

Community News

Encuentro 2018 is a landmark national conference on Latino heritage and historic preservation held in Providence on April 26-28. Sessions with national speakers are followed by visits to Latino neighborhoods, historic places associated with underrepresented communities, recent preservation projects, public art, & more: Read more…

Every ten years, the Federal Government makes a complete count of everyone in the United States. The U.S. Census aims to count the entire population at the location where each person usually lives. The next census is due in 2020.

Providence County Leads the Way!

Providence County is the national test site for the 2020 census. Starting this month, Providence Community Library will assist the U.S. Census Bureau and the City of Providence to test operations and procedures for gathering information during the 2020 census. The goal of the test is to count everyone once, only once, and in the right place. Providence County will help fine tune the model that will be rolled out nationwide in 2020. All people in Providence County, including college students, who are resident on Census Test Day, April 1, will be included in the Census Complete Count Test.

How to Complete the Test

The Census Complete Count Test questionnaire is available online and you can fill it out on any computer device or smartphone. The questionnaire, which can also be answered by phone or returned by mail, includes ten basic questions about you and your household and takes less than ten minutes to complete.

Completed Returns are Confidential

Returns are protected by law (Title I3 of the U.S. code, Section 9) and are strictly confidential. It is illegal for the U.S.Census Bureau, or its employees, to share personal information with any other government agency, including law enforcement, IRS, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), FBI, Immigration, etc. Census returns are sealed and not available as public documents for 72 years.

Why is it important to get an accurate count in the Census?

Federal funds, grants and support to states, counties and communities are based on population totals and breakdowns by sex, age, race and other factors. Your community benefits the most when the census counts everyone. When you respond to the census, you help your community gets its fair share of the more than $675 billion per year in federal funds spent on schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other vital programs.

Why the Census Matters to our Libraries

Over the last five years, Providence Community Library has received a substantial amount of funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development through the City of Providence to support our Spanish GED program and pay for repairs and improvements to our buildings. The availability of that funding depends in part on the accuracy of the US Census. The Census is important to Providence and to PCL!

Help Providence Help You by Completing the Census Test!

When you do the math, it’s easy to see how an accurate count of residents can help the community. Better infrastructure. More services. A brighter tomorrow for everyone. Let’s make the 2018 Complete Census Count Test count for all of us in Providence County. Encourage everyone you know to go online and answer the few questions so the whole country will see the strength and commitment we have to create a better community!

Providence County households have a unique opportunity to help our community and nation get an accurate population count in the 2020 Census. We are the only test site in the U.S. in 2018, and it is exciting to know that we are helping to create the model that the whole country will follow in 2020. Let’s set the bar high for the most complete count possible! The goal is to count every person living in Providence County.

Census Day for the test is April 1, 2018 and Providence County households are able to respond online beginning on March 16. Letters were mailed to households with information about the test and how to respond. For the first time, you will be able to respond to the census online using desktop computers, laptops, smartphones or tablets. You can also respond by phone or on paper.

Your census responses are safe, secure and protected by law. Every Census Bureau employee swears a lifetime oath to protect your information, and could go to jail or be fined up to $250,000 if they violate that oath. It is illegal for the Census Bureau, or its employees, to share your personal information with any other government agency, local law enforcement, IRS, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), FBI, Immigration, etc. Not even the President of the United States can access your individual responses. Individual records from the Census are sealed for 72 years.

Everyone Counts!
– Children count! Remember to include young children on your census form.
– College students count! College students living in Providence County on April 1 should be counted.
– Citizens and noncitizens alike count! The Constitution requires the census to count every resident in the nation— whether they are citizens or not.
Responding is easy, safe and important. The census test asks just a few questions and takes about 10 minutes to respond.

Why is it important to get an accurate count in the Census? Census data are used in many ways, affecting our daily lives. Some examples include:
– Distribution of more than $675 billion annually in federal funds back to state, local, and tribal governments.
– Redistricting of state legislative districts.
– Forecasting of future transportation needs for all segments of the population.
– Determining areas eligible for housing assistance and rehabilitation loans.
– Assisting federal, tribal, state, and local governments in planning and implementing programs and services and emergency response.
– Designing facilities for people with disabilities, the elderly, and children.

Over the last five years Providence Community Library has received a substantial amount of CDBG funding to support our Spanish GED program and to do major repairs on our libraries. That funding comes from the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development and what is allocated to Providence in total for CDBG funds is partially dependent on census data. Having the opportunity to impact that funding through encouraging everyone to be counted is exciting to us because we can serve more people!

It is easy to see what an accurate count of residents can do for your community. Better infrastructure. More services. A brighter tomorrow for everyone. Let’s make the 2018 Census Test count for all of us in Providence County, and show our commitment to creating a better community. Encourage everyone you know to respond!

Questions about the Census:

Once you fill out the Census, do you get a confirmation page?

Yes, there is a confirmation page you can print or save as a PDF from the Internet Self Response.

How does the non-response follow up period work on college campuses? How do you reach students who don’t fill out the form?

College dorms are part of the Group Quarters Enumeration (GQE) operation. We will call all GQs during our GQ Advance Contact operation from June 18 to July 10, 2018. GQ enumeration is planned for July 30 – Aug 24, 2018. The facilities will be able to respond without involving the students, via electronic response data transfer or paper response data collection. We will encourage colleges to assist us in counting the students using data from their records (and preferably electronically) since the data collection is taking place significantly later than reference day.

For off-campus housing in 2018, we will follow the regular non-response follow-up (NRFU) procedures. We understand that students may have left the area by the time NRFU operations begin, but we will do the best we can. (In 2020, we will do Early NRFU in the blocks identified as having off-campus housing, which will start in early April.)

How does the homeless population fill out the Census if they do not receive a home ID number?

We count people experiencing homelessness in our Targeted NonSheltered Outdoor Locations (TNSOL) operation. For 2018, enumerators will visit known outdoor locations in an overnight operation in late July to collect census information from any individuals currently staying there.

Shelters for people experiencing homelessness will be part of the GQE operation. We will call all facilities during our GQ Advance Contact operation from June 18 to July 10, 2018. We will ask questions to determine the best time to conduct the enumeration, how many enumerators and materials we need to send, and to ascertain facility rules, logistics and safety concerns.

Which languages will the Census form/Census marketing materials be available in? Both for the test and the 2020 Census? Can the Census still be filled out in languages not included (e.g. Portuguese)?

The Enumeration instrument is available in Spanish. There are currently no plans for promotional materials.

Will “Jane or John Doe” be permitted on census forms for households concerned about privacy?

Yes, we instruct the enumerators that they can enter nicknames or Person 1, Person 2 etc. if the respondent does not want to provide their real name.

WBNA has begun a year-long planning process that will guide our goals and work plans in the neighborhood for the next five years. But this process cannot succeed without your ideas! Through a broad outreach campaign, we hope to learn what our community as a whole cares most about.

Please take 1-2 minutes to complete our Neighbor Survey, and encourage your neighbors to take part, as well! The results of these surveys will be used as the foundation of WBNA’s new strategic plan.

To reach our many neighbors, we are also going door-to-door to hear from the 3000 households in our focus area, and need English speaking and bilingual Spanish speaking volunteers. On April 7 and May 12, two-person teams of neighbors will visit homes on the street where they live to distribute the survey and get neighbor input. Sign up here to volunteer.

WBNA is YOUR neighborhood association, and is relying on your feedback and that of all neighbors to make WBNA’s goals and plans moving forward the best they can be. Thanks for your help!